While strawberries certainly play a significant part in the Strawberry Faire, one of the Town of Ashland’s favorite events also is about being nonprofit and giving back to the community.

The 28th Strawberry Faire will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, on the streets surrounding Randolph- Macon College.

With nearly 300 craftspeople, businesses, food vendors and nonprofit organizations selling their wares, the event also features singing and dancing, goodies being distributed, games being played, exhibits being displayed – and strawberries being served every way imaginable.

Attendees are invited to walk the strawberry cake walks, compete in the strawberry shortcake eating contest, participate in the arts and crafts activities, experience face painting, and get to know the many animals available for adoption.

Two entertainment stages are being presented this year: in front of Blackwell Auditorium on Henry Street and in front of the Brock Center on East Patrick Street. Musical entertainment includes brass bands, concert bands, jazz bands, pops and choral concerts, pipes and drums, and all kinds of singing and dancing.
In addition to the annual “Little Miss Strawberry” contest, there will be a “Little Mr. Strawberry” contest.

The Strawberry Faire, a major event for Ashland and visitors alike, is a nonprofit organization that gives generously to scholarship funds awarded to four high schools: Patrick Henry High School, Atlee High School, Lee-Davis High School and Hanover High School. 

The committee annually awards a Tafi Yourtee Music and Theatre Scholarship.  New this year will be a Jay Pace Scholarship in Journalism. A Dick Gillis scholarship is given to R-MC in political science.

This year a scholarship is being added in the name of Norman Buggie to the new Hanover Center for Trades and Technology in Hanover. Norman served on the Strawberry Faire committee for many years and was available to create just about anything needed for the faire.

Parking for the Strawberry Faire will be available at Henry Clay Elementary School, Gandy Elementary School, the Hanover School Board Office and the Hanover Health Department where you can pick up the shuttle bus to carry you to the faire. 

Streets will be closed to allow exhibitors to display on Henry Street, College Avenue, Caroline Street, and West Patrick Street.

There will be maps available at the information booths located at bus dropoff points to guide you.

Mary Claire Coster, who has served as the faire coordinator of 27 years, can be contacted at 798-8289.